Written by DCist contributor Jesse Rounds.
With just five of their last 18 games coming at home the Caps hoped to take advantage of their final extended homestand to build momentum. With a record of 2-2-1, the Caps failed to realize their hopes and were unable to create a consistent style of play.
Wednesday night saw the Caps destroy the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the last game of this season’s series between the two rivals, The Capitals certainly got the better of their opponent. The 6-3 score included goals by superstar Alexander Ovechkin and Ben Clymer. However, the most talked about goal was a fluke. Defenseman Ivan Majesky, attempting to clear the puck from his own zone, slotted a goal past Penguins goalie Sebastien Caron, “It was a lucky bounce. It went in, so that’s all it’s about. The goalie, I don’t know, he just went out and the puck went in.” The most talked about feature of this match-up was another chance to see Alexander Ovechkin take on media darling Sidney Crosby. Unlike the last couple of meetings between the two, it was Crosby who failed to have an impact on the game.
Last Thursday saw the Caps trade away Brendan Witt to the Nashville Predators for a first-round draft pick and Center Kris Beech. The trade gives Witt the opportunity to play on a playoff team as a reward for years of hard work in the Capitals defense. Jeff Friesen, who had a disappointing stint with the Caps, was traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for a second round pick in the June draft. The Capitals feel that this is simply another stage in their rebuilding effort. The move also gives them room under the new salary-cap to make limited
changes in the off-season.
AP Photo by Gerald Herbert.
